† NO INTERNET BIDDING: Please note that Internet bidding is not available for this lot. Interested parties that are unable to attend the sale may register to bid by telephone or place a commission bid online at rmsothebys.com.

◊ OWNERSHIP INTEREST: Lots with this symbol indicate that RM Sotheby's ("RMS") has an ownership interest in the lot in whole or in part.

After the Volkswagen group’s purchase of the fabled French manufacturer and construction of a purpose-built factory in Bugatti’s old home of Molsheim, France, the German manufacturer was ready and willing to return Bugatti to its former grandeur. Arguably the most widely anticipated automobile in the 21st century, the engineering behind the Veyron was simply otherworldly. Capable of a top speed of over 248 mph and sprints to 60 mph in less than three seconds, passengers were also treated to unrivaled luxury.

The incredible performance was courtesy of a 1,001-bhp, W-16 engine. Simply put, this was achieved by bolting two V-8 engines together and fitting it with four turbochargers. In a documentary about the Veyron’s development and construction by National Geographic, an engineer recalled the first time the Veyron’s engine was run at full throttle at Volkswagen’s Salzgitter, Germany, facility in 2001. The engine produced so much heat that it overwhelmed the building’s exhaust system, which almost went up in flames as a result. Months were spent engineering, scrutinizing, and testing all aspects of the car to ensure that none would crack under pressure, or at speed.

Fine attention to detail is needed to produce a car capable of such speeds, and it comes as no surprise that almost every part of the Veyron is hand-built. Hundreds of hours are spent painstakingly crafting components such as its carbon-ceramic disc brakes, 10 radiators, and even its tires, designed and produced especially for the Veyron by Michelin. Only eight specialists are entrusted to produce the Veyron’s monstrous engine, which takes one week from start to finish. While each engine is stated to produce 1,001 hp, most cars produce between 1,030 and 1,060 hp in optimum conditions; 1,001 was merely the lowest amount of power the cars produce in unfavorable conditions. Of course, keeping all this performance in check is just as important, and the Veyron’s braking is arguably more exciting than its acceleration. It can deaccelerate to a stop from 62 mph in just 2.2 seconds, quicker than it can accelerate to that speed.

With only 300 Veyron coupes produced, some would be more special than others as Bugatti crafted a handful of special editions with unique features. One of Bugatti’s earliest special editions, the Sang Noir, its beauty lies in the details. Designed as an homage to the Type 57S Atlantic, the Sang Noir is finished in two tone black paint and exposed carbon fiber. Keen eyes will note the unique chrome-plated horseshoe grille with polished wheels. This car is particularly special in that while its siblings feature orange leather interiors, this car is trimmed in unique bright red leather.

Delivered new to Bugatti of Miami as the seventh Sang Noir Veyron built, the car spent its early days in Florida, remaining there until at least 2015 according to the accompanying CARFAX report. It was shipped to Miller Motorcars in December 2017 for the annual service, which included a new battery, the fitment of four new tires, new front brake rotors, and new brake pads on each wheel. Furthermore, the car’s gearbox was found to be faulty and the car was flown to the factory for the installation of a new transmission. Following service, the Veyron was found to be in faultless working order and has been driven less than 500 miles since.

Four years after the last example was built, the Veyron has aged wonderfully in all respects. Its performance is still world-beating and its design, penned some two decades ago, remains tasteful, purposeful, and aggressive. The special-edition Veyron variants are amongst the most desirable, and the Sang Noir is as subtle as it is unique. With only 12 examples built, it represents a fraction of overall production. Following its recent service, this example is ready to be driven and enjoyed, the perfect stablemate to a Chiron, collection of modern supercars, or vintage Bugattis.